Shri Vitthala Temple Complex (Hampi)

India / Karnataka / Kamalapuram / Hampi
 temple, place with historical importance
Situated northeast of Hampi, opposite the village of Anegondi, this is one of the principal monuments of the city. It is dedicated to Vittala, an aspect of Vishnu worshipped in the Maratha country. It is believed to date from the 16th century.

In the front of the temple is the famous stone chariot or ratha. This is itself a miniature temple, carved out of a single rock, to resemble the temple chariots or rathas in which temple idols are traditionally taken out in procession.

One of the notable features of the Vittala Temple is the musical pillars. Each of the pillars that support the roof of the main temple is supported by a pillar representing a musical instrument, and is constructed as 7 minor pillars arranged around a main pillar. These 7 pillars, when struck, emanate the 7 notes from the representative instrument, varying in sound quality based on whether it represents a wind, string or percussion instrument.

The temple is the venue of the annual Purandaradasa festival.
Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vijayanagara#Vittala_Temple
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   15°20'32"N   76°28'31"E

Comments

  • Still beautiful carvings on the walls.
  • Construction as seven minor pillars arranged around a main pillar where these 7 pillars, when struck, emanate the seven notes were mastered by the Jain rulers. It shows that this place was dominated by Jains before the Vijayanagara era.